A book worth reading?
Posted by:
glam
()
Date: March 14, 2006 10:41PM
A new book, Breaking the Spell, sounds interesting:
I've been wondering about how religious belief fits into the evolution of the human species for a while now. It sounds like an interesting book.
Quote
FROM OUR EDITORS
Faith-based initiatives; evolution vs. intelligent design; the right to life vs. the right to choose; gay marriage; international terrorism: Even if you're not a believer, you can ignore religion only at your own risk. In this provocative book, philosopher Daniel C. Dennett asserts that religion is a cultural phenomenon shaped and governed by the processes of evolution and natural selection; succinctly stated, we are hard-wired to believe. At a time of ever-widening schism between rationalists and believers, Breaking the Spell offers an analysis that acknowledges the power of faith without relinquishing the claims of reason.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
An innovative thinker tackles the controversial question of why we believe in God and howreligion shapes our lives and our future
For a growing number of people, there is nothing more important than religion. It is an integral part of their marriage, child rearing, and community. In this daring new book, distinguished philosopher Daniel C. Dennett takes a hard look at this phenomenon and asks why. Where does our devotion to God come from and what purpose does it serve? Is religion a blind evolutionary compulsion or a rational choice? In Breaking the Spell, Dennett argues that the time has come to shed the light of science on the fundamental questions of faith.
In a spirited narrative that ranges widely through history, philosophy, and psychology, Dennett explores how organized religion evolved from folk beliefs and why it is such a potent force today. Deftly and lucidly, he contends that the "belief in belief" has fogged any attempt to rationally consider the existence of God and the relationship between divinity and human need.
Breaking the Spell is not an antireligious screed but rather an eyeopening exploration of the role that belief plays in our lives, our interactions, and our country. With the gulf between rationalists and adherents of "intelligent design" widening daily, Dennett has written a timely and provocative book that will be read and passionately debated by believers and nonbelievers alike.
I've been wondering about how religious belief fits into the evolution of the human species for a while now. It sounds like an interesting book.
A book worth reading?
Posted by:
nutrino
()
Date: March 15, 2006 12:43AM
It is an excellent book. I'm halfway through it now. Can be technical, requires patience and close reading skills. The best possible material for open discussion of the faith versus reason arena.
A book worth reading?
Posted by:
Concerned Oz
()
Date: March 15, 2006 05:13AM
Just some points:
* Are we hard wired to believe or is it critical thinking based on reasoning and logic that allows us as humans to hypothesise about the unknown?
* Faith or belief can be unproven but needs to be rational. Reason is the handmaid of faith.
* Belief that I can dematerialise and pass through a wall is unreasonable and defies the laws of science but belief that a supreme being caused the "big bang" is reasonable but unproven.
* Belief or "religion" should not be fearful of science. Science is about uncovering the building blocks of life so a reasonable belief/faith/religion should encourage scientific progress in uncovering and proving its hypothesis.
Oz
* Are we hard wired to believe or is it critical thinking based on reasoning and logic that allows us as humans to hypothesise about the unknown?
* Faith or belief can be unproven but needs to be rational. Reason is the handmaid of faith.
* Belief that I can dematerialise and pass through a wall is unreasonable and defies the laws of science but belief that a supreme being caused the "big bang" is reasonable but unproven.
* Belief or "religion" should not be fearful of science. Science is about uncovering the building blocks of life so a reasonable belief/faith/religion should encourage scientific progress in uncovering and proving its hypothesis.
Oz
A book worth reading?
Posted by:
glam
()
Date: March 15, 2006 05:38AM
What interests me even more is the brain physiology that allows our minds to "snap" after a certain period of lack of rest, food, an unusual amount of stress, etc., and allows other humans to "control" our thought processes and actions to a large degree, at least for a while. According to Pavlov, a similar physiology in dogs leads them to "snap" and have a sort of reverse personality change -- they hate keepers they used to favor, fear things they didn't before, etc. Why would we evolve this way?
I can see how having "mind control" over a group of fellow humans would be helpful in times of war, for example, when it's important to get the troops riled up and following unquestioningly. But why do some humans seem to almost seek out a leader to follow, while others question things? Why are some of us easily hypnotizable, others not? Just the ability to be hypnotized is a strange part of evolution.
I can see how having "mind control" over a group of fellow humans would be helpful in times of war, for example, when it's important to get the troops riled up and following unquestioningly. But why do some humans seem to almost seek out a leader to follow, while others question things? Why are some of us easily hypnotizable, others not? Just the ability to be hypnotized is a strange part of evolution.
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